Uxbridge plans additional mosquito spraying for EEE

Monday

UXBRIDGE – Selectmen voted Monday to authorize the interim town manager to move ahead with the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project to discuss emergency ground spraying of pesticide to combat Eastern equine encephalitis.

The town has been at critical risk for the mosquito-borne virus since a horse was confirmed infected Aug. 23. But the town has not been a member of the regional mosquito project since 2013.

Annual cost of membership would be around $85,000. However, emergency provisions are available for towns to ask the project’s board for targeted sampling and spraying, Board of Health officials told selectmen.

“We’re not out of the woods just yet,” said Selectman Susan Franz, adding that the area might not get a hard frost until November.

Dr. David Tapscott, vice chairman of the Board of Health, said spraying pesticides at targeted areas would provide only limited additional protection.

“The primary defense is to stay inside,” he said. Or if people do go outside, they should avoid doing so at dusk to dawn, cover up and apply bug repellent.

“All prevention should be aimed at education.”

Health Director Kristin Black said the Mosquito Control Project would develop a plan and work with the town to send spray trucks out, but it would be the town’s responsibility to notify residents about the spraying and that residents could opt out of spraying on their property.

She said Code Red, email, the town’s website and social media would be used to notify residents.

The state Department of Public Health has said it would reimburse communities for additional spraying. Ms. Black said the Central Mass. Mosquito Control Project has given the town a rough estimate of $50 per linear mile.

Selectmen also discussed holding a special town meeting this fall to consider re-joining the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project, to put in place applications targeting mosquito larvae in spring.

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